Field configurable shut-off valve

ABSTRACT

A kit of parts for configuring and assembling a shut-off valve in the field has a valve body, a plurality of connection fittings, and a plurality of gaskets. The connection fittings each have a first end with a common configuration adapted to fit into any of three ports provided in the valve body. The connection fittings have second ends with different configurations adapted to connect with any of a variety of conduit configurations which may be encountered in the field.

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/339,669filed Jan. 10, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/135,850 filed May 1, 2002, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,874,824. All of the applications mentioned above are incorporated intothis document in their entirety by this reference to them.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to valves used in fluid conduitconfigurations to alternately shut off or allow fluid flow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing fluid flow through a conduit is a common requirement. Inindustrial applications, the flow of air, water or other fluids is oftenrequired in the operation of equipment. In residential settings,household plumbing is probably the most common example of fluid flow ina conduit. In these applications, it is often desirable to have theability to control the flow of fluid at one or more points, through theuse of shut-off valves. Such valves can be used simply as an outlet forthe fluid, or to isolate downstream elements for such purposes as repairor maintenance.

The conduits to which a valve is to be connected will have a particularconfiguration defined by the conduit material, size, type of endconnections, and arrangement.

Typical conduit materials include copper, plastic, rubber, steel, andcomposites.

The size of the conduit is generally specified by the inner diameter,but the outer diameter may also be important in certain connectiontypes.

There are a wide variety of end connection types, including socket endsfor soldering, male and female thread connections, compression fittings,barb fittings, flare connections, and many others.

The arrangement of the conduit refers to the number and orientation ofthe conduits to which the valve is to be connected. The arrangement mayinclude a single conduit, at the end of which the valve is to beinstalled. Alternatively, the arrangement may include two coaxialconduits, requiring a straight valve, or two perpendicular conduits,requiring an angle valve. The arrangement could also consist of threeconduits for which a “T” valve is required.

It is readily apparent that the number of unique conduit configurationsis considerable. Stocking a comprehensive inventory of valves istherefore a difficult and costly task. For plumbers or pipefitters, itis generally cost prohibitive to carry a large inventory. Plumbers mayhave sources from which specific valves can be ordered, but receivingthe valve is of course delayed by processing and delivery time.Alternatively, plumbers may have access to wholesale suppliers but suchsuppliers are not usually open in evenings or on weekends. As a resultthis may cause considerable delay and inconvenience.

The do-it-yourself homeowner will generally not stock any parts. Rather,he or she will typically rely on local hardware or home improvementretailers. These stores are usually open in evenings and on weekends,which is particularly convenient for the do-it-yourself homeowner.However, these retailers are also reluctant to incur the high cost ofinventory associated with stocking ready-to-use valves in numerousvariety, or to give up the large amount of shelf space which such avariety of valves would require.

It would be advantageous to have a kit of parts from which a valve couldbe assembled. Such a kit for assembling a valve is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,735,307 to Charron. The kit includes a valve body and endconnectors which fit between the valve body and the conduits to whichthe valve is to be connected.

However, the valve assembled according to the '307 patent is assembledin a production environment by the manufacturer. The manufacturertherefore achieves inventory cost reductions and convenience byfollowing the teaching of the patent, but such benefits are notexperienced by plumbers or do-it-yourself homeowners, or retailers onwhich they rely.

Furthermore, the kit of parts of the '307 patent is adapted for assemblyusing industrial equipment and custom fixturing. It is critical thatsufficient torque be applied when assembling the valve of the '307patent, particularly since tightening the connection fittings serves twopurposes, namely, pre-loading the seals on the ball of the ball valve,and fixing the connection fittings to the valve housing. Tosatisfactorily pre-load the seals and to seal the brass-to-brassconnection between the fitting and the valve body, a relatively hightorque is required. This torque is easily reached with power fasteningtools and fixtures designed to hold the valve body during tightening,without damaging the valve. However, since a user in the field cannot beexpected to have specialized equipment for tightening of the connectionfittings, offering the kit of parts of the '307 patent to such a usermay be of no benefit.

Furthermore, factory assembly of the parts of the '307 patent permitsleak testing of the valve open/close operation at the factory. Since theassembly of the valve core is completed by assembly of the connectionfittings, providing the kit of parts of the '307 patent to a user in thefield would eliminate the ability to test the valve operation prior tofinal installation of the valve.

What is required is a kit of parts from which a valve for connectionwith any of a wide variety of conduit configurations can be assembled,using ordinary hand tools. The closure member of the valve should besealed and assembled independently of the connection fittings to permitfactory assembly and leak-testing.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent in the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a kit of user-selectable parts from whicha valve for connection with any of a wide variety of conduitconfigurations can be assembled, using ordinary hand tools.

In a first aspect of the invention, a kit of parts for field assembly ofa shut-off valve with field selectable connection fittings is provided.The kit of parts includes a valve body, a plurality of connectionfittings, and a plurality of gaskets. The valve body has a valve housingwith three ports, wherein each of the ports has a longitudinal axis anda first connector end for receiving one of the connection fittings. Thevalve body has a valve closure member mounted within the valve housing,and a valve handle for moving the valve closure member between open andclosed positions. The valve body has internal flow passageways forpermitting the flow of fluid among said three ports through said valveclosure member, and has a ball valve sealing structure to provideleak-proof operation of the valve closure member when moved between theopen and closed positions. The ball valve sealing structure is assembledindependent of the connection fittings received in the ports.

The first connector end of each of the ports has a first commonconfiguration with a first seal surface.

Each of the plurality of connection fittings has a second connector endhaving a second common configuration with a second seal surface. Each ofthe plurality of connection fittings also has a different adaptor end.

The first connector ends of the ports are adapted to sealingly connectwith the second connector ends of the plurality of connection fittings,using one of the plurality of gaskets, the gasket being positionedbetween the first and second seal surfaces of each of the ports andsecond connector ends.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is a gasket suitable for usewith the kit of parts of the first aspect. The gasket is an annular discof deformable metal having axially opposed first and second facesurfaces and an inner diameter surface and outer diameter surface. Thesecond face surface of the gasket is beveled relative to the second sealsurface of the connection fitting such that the cross-sectional width ofthe gasket is wider at the inner diameter of the gasket and narrower atthe outer diameter of the gasket. When a connection fitting is assembledfinger tight into a port, the initial area of contact of the second facesurface and the second seal surface is limited to a circle on the secondface surface of the gasket located adjacent the inner diameter of thegasket.

The second aspect of the invention optionally includes provision for thefirst face surface of the gasket being beveled relative to the firstseal surface. This is provided in one embodiment by beveling the firstface surface of the gasket so that in cross section both the first andsecond face surfaces of the gasket taper inwardly from a widest point atthe inner diameter to a narrowest point at the outer diameter of thegasket. Alternatively, this is provided by beveling the first sealsurface of the first connector end of the port such that the first sealsurface at its inner diameter is nearer to the outer end of the portthan at its outer diameter.

The gasket may be of copper material or alternatively of aluminummaterial.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is an alternative gasketsuitable for use with the kit of parts of the first aspect. The gasketis of an elastomeric material. The first seal surface of the port has atleast one annular projection so that when tightening the connectionfitting into the port, the elastomeric gasket is cut into at least twoannular sections by the annular projection. The at least one annularprojection makes metal-to-metal contact with the second seal surface,and at least one of the at least two annular sections of the elastomericgasket is contained in a cavity bounded by the at least one annularprojection, the first seal surface, and the second seal surface.

In an alternate embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, thefirst seal surface of the port has two concentric annular projections sothat when tightening the connection fitting into the port, theelastomeric gasket is cut into three annular sections, namely an inner,middle, and outer annular section. The two annular projections makemetal-to-metal contact with the second seal surface, and the middleannular section of the elastomeric gasket is contained in a cavitybounded radially by the two annular projections, and axially by thefirst seal surface and the second seal surface.

The elastomeric gasket of the third aspect of the invention isoptionally of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, a self-contained valve body forfield assembly of a shut-off valve with field selectable connectionfittings is provided. The valve body has a valve housing with aplurality of ports, each of the ports having a longitudinal axis and afirst connector end for receiving a connection fitting. The valve bodyfurther has a valve closure member mounted within said the housing, avalve handle for moving the valve closure member between open and closedpositions, and internal flow passageways for permitting the flow offluid among the plurality of ports through the valve closure member. Thevalve body also has a ball valve sealing structure to provide leak-proofoperation of the valve closure member when in, and moving between, theopen and closed positions. The assembly and operation of the ball valvesealing structure is independent of the connection fittings received inthe ports.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a connection structure providing asealed joint between first and second fluid conducting parts isdescribed. The connection structure has a first seal surface on thefirst part, a second seal surface on the second part, and an annularelastomeric gasket positioned between the first and second sealsurfaces. The first and second seal surfaces interact upon assembly ofthe first and second parts to provide an enclosed annular cavity whichtraps and is filled with at least a portion of the elastomeric gasket.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a connection structure providing asealed joint between first and second fluid conducting parts isdescribed. The connection structure has a first seal surface on thefirst part, a second seal surface on the second part, and an annulargasket of deformable metal positioned between the first and second sealsurfaces. The annular gasket has an inner diameter surface, an outerdiameter surface, and axially opposed first and second face surfacesadjacent the first and second seal surfaces, respectively, and the firstand second seal surfaces and first and second face surfaces define jointcontact surfaces. At least one of the joint contact surfaces is beveledrelative to the joint contact surface adjacent the beveled surface, sothat the cross-sectional width of the gasket is wider at the innerdiameter of the gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a kit of parts according to one embodiment of the presentinvention with each of the parts shown in cross-section.

FIG. 2 shows a valve body of the kit of parts of FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a closure member of the valve bodyshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a spindle of the valve body shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the spindle shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view in section of a handle lever of the valve bodyshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view in section of the handle lever shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the valvebody shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the valve body shown inFIG. 2, showing one sealing structure in more detail.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another portion of thevalve body shown in FIG. 2, showing another sealing structure in moredetail.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a brass sealing ring intended for use withthe sealing structure shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side view in section of the brass ring shown in FIG. 10, incombination with an o-ring.

FIG. 13 a is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the part shown inFIG. 2 with an alternative sealing structure.

FIG. 13 b is an enlarged view of the sealing structure of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a furtheralternative sealing structure for use with the valve body of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the valve bodyshown in FIG. 2 in more detail.

FIGS. 16-18 are partial cross-sectional views of different connectionfittings of the kit of the parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a first gasket intended for use withthe kit of parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a cross-section of the gasket of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternative gasket intended for usewith the kit of parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a cross-section of the gasket of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two parts of FIG. 1and the gasket of FIG. 19 shown in an assembled but pre-tightened state.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two parts of FIG. 1and the gasket of FIG. 21 shown in an assembled but pre-tightened state.

FIG. 25 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 22 but using an alternateform of one of the parts of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a gasketintended to be used with the kit of parts shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of two parts of the kitof FIG. 1 and the gasket of FIG. 26 shown in an assembled butpre-tightened state.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 28 but showing partsin the tightened state.

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 28 but showing parts of the kit ofFIG. 1 having an alternative sealing surface.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the parts of FIG. 30 but showingthe parts in the tightened state.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the gasket of FIG. 19 showing optionalfeatures.

FIG. 33 is a front view of the gasket of FIG. 26 showing optionalfeatures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A kit of parts for assembly of a shut-off valve is shown generally at 10in FIG. 1. The kit of parts 10 comprises a valve body 12 and a pluralityof connection fittings 14. All connection fittings 14 have certainportions with a common configuration and certain portions with differingconfigurations.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the valve body 12 comprises a valve housing 20having a valve closure member 22. The valve body 12 further comprises aspindle 24, a valve handle 26, and three ports 28 a, 28 b, and 28 c. The3 ports have a common configuration and can accept any of the parts 14of the kit of parts 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve closure member 22 comprises a sphere 30 asis used in what is commonly known as a “ball valve”, but it is to beappreciated by one skilled in the art that any known valve closuremember can be used to carry out the present invention.

The sphere 30 comprises three openings 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c leading tochannels 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c, respectively. The openings 32 a and 32 bare disposed 90° apart on the surface of sphere 30, and the opening 32 cis disposed 180° and 90° from openings 32 a and 32 b, respectively. Thethree channels 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c intersect at approximately thecenter of sphere 30. An elongate slot 36 is provided in the surface ofsphere 30 diametrically opposite opening 32 b.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spindle 24 comprises a shaft40 having a first cylindrical spindle portion 41 and a secondrectangular spindle portion 42. The first cylindrical spindle portion 41has a plurality of grooves 45 in which o-rings 46 are provided. A flange47 is disposed between the first cylindrical spindle portion 41 and atab 44. The tab 44 is adapted to engage the slot 36 of the sphere 30, sothat rotation of the spindle 24 about its longitudinal axis causescorresponding rotation of the sphere 30. A plurality of barbs 48 areprovided along the second rectangular spindle portion 42 of the shaft40, for attachment to the valve handle 26.

The valve handle 26 can be actuated to effect the rotation of thespindle 24. As can be best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the valve handle 26comprises a valve lever 50 which has a rectangular cross-section andlength suitable to be comfortably grasped by a user. The valve lever 50has a first lever end 52 and a second lever end 54. A rectangular bore56 is provided in one longitudinal face 58 of the valve lever 50,axially positioned nearer to the first lever end 52 then to the secondlever end 54. The rectangular bore 56 is adapted to receive the secondrectangular spindle portion 42 of the shaft 40 in a press-fitarrangement.

Referring again to FIG. 2, each of the ports 28 a, 28 b, and 28 c ischaracterized by a longitudinal bore having an axis 29 a, 29 b, and 29 crespectively, and extending inward from the outer surface 21 of thevalve housing 20 to the valve closure member 22. The three ports 28 a,28 b, and 28 c are disposed 90° apart about the valve closure member 22,having port 28 b aligned diametrically opposite the spindle 24, andports 28 a and 28 c aligned opposite each other. This arrangement of thethree ports 28 a, 28 b, and 28 c permits assembly of a straight valve,an angle valve, or a “T”-valve, as will be subsequently discussed. Acylindrical bore 27 is provided opposite port 28 b and is adapted tosealingly receive the first cylindrical portion 41 of the shaft 40 ofthe spindle 24.

Referring now to FIG. 8, which shows a portion of valve body 12 ingreater detail, each port 28 has an inner port end 60 nearest the sphere30 of the valve closure member 22, and an outer first connector end 61nearest the outer surface 21 of the valve housing 20.

Inner port configurations 72 are provided at the inner port ends 60 ofeach port 28. The inner port configurations 72 need not be common amongthe three ports 28. Each inner port configuration 72 comprises a portpassageway 73 characterized by a longitudinal bore aligned coaxiallywith corresponding port 28. Each inner port configuration furthercomprises a valve closure member sealing structure 74 disposed betweenthe port passageway 73 and the sphere 30 of the valve closure member 22.The inner port configurations 72 provide flow passageways which are notmore restricted than the passageways defined by the inner diameter ofthe openings 32 in the sphere 30 of the valve closure member 22.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the sealing structure 74 a is provided in port28 a and has an annular seal 76 of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)material disposed between the sphere 30 and an annular retaining lip 77.The retaining lip 77 extends radially inward from the inner surface ofthe port passageway 73 a, and has inner and outer axially opposed faces78 and 79, respectively. A substantially cylindrical seal seat 80extends from the inner face 78, coaxial with the port 28 a, having aninner diameter adapted to accommodate the annular seal 76. The seal seat80 and the port passageway 73 b of port 28 b intersect, so that aportion of the seal seat 80 adjacent the port 28 b is cut away andtherefore not visible in the sectional plane of FIG. 9. The axialposition of the retaining lip 77 along the port passageway 73 a is suchthat the annular seal 76 is held against the surface of the sphere 30once the valve body 12 has been assembled, as will be discussedsubsequently.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the sealing structure 74 c may be provided atthe inner end 60 of the port 28 c. The sealing structure 74 c comprisesan annular seal 82 of PTFE material disposed between the sphere 30 and abrass sealing ring 83. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the brasssealing ring 83 has inner and outer axially opposed faces 84 and 85. Theouter diameter surface of the sealing ring 83 is stepped so that a firstcylindrical portion 86 having a smaller outer diameter is adjacent theinner face 84, and a second cylindrical portion 87 having a larger outerdiameter is adjacent the outer face 85. A chamfer 88 is provided at thecorner of the first cylindrical portion 86 and the inner face 84, tofacilitate assembly of an o-ring 89 which is provided on the firstcylindrical portion 86.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the sealing structure 74 c further comprisesan internal retaining clip 90 which fits into an annular groove 92provided in the inner surface of passageway 73 c. The annular groove 92has a bevelled inner radial wall 93 so as to increase the axial width ofthe groove 92 at the inner surface of the port passageway 73 c andthereby facilitate assembly of the retaining clip 90. The internalretaining clip 90 contacts the second face 85 of the sealing ring 83when assembled, and is provided at an axial position such that the valvebody 12 may be satisfactorily assembled using the procedure describedsubsequently.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 a and 13 b, the sealing structure 174 c mayalternatively be provided at the inner end 60 of the port 28 c. Thesealing structure 174 c comprises the annular seal 82 and a retainingsleeve 180. The annular seal 82 is constructed of PTFE material, and isdisposed between the sphere 30 and the retaining sleeve 180.

The retaining sleeve 180 has a cylindrical body 182 with a first end 184nearest the seal 82 and a second end 185 opposite the first end 184. Theinner diameter of the retaining sleeve 180 is substantially the samesize as the inner diameter of the annular seal 82. The outer surface ofthe cylindrical body 182 is provided with an outer contact surface 183which engages the inner surface of the port passageway 73 c in sealingpress-fit engagement. The cylindrical body 182 may be provided with aseries of radially outwardly extending ribs 186, and the outer contactsurface 183 may be provided adjacent the outer diameter of one or moreribs 186.

Referring now to FIG. 13 b, in one embodiment, the retaining sleeve 180is provided with four annular ribs 186. A first rib 186 a is positionedflush with the first end 184 of the sleeve 180, and has an outerdiameter which is slightly less than the inner diameter of thepassageway 73 c of the port 28 c, so that the first rib 186 a may act asa pilot diameter when installing the sleeve 180 into the port 28 c.

Second and third ribs 186 b and 186 c are positioned between the firstrib 186 a and a fourth rib 186 d. The ribs 186 b and 186 c have an outerdiameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of thepassageway 73 c of the port 28 c so as to provide a press-fitinteraction with the inner diameter of the passageway 73 c of the port28 c. The outer contact surface 183 is provided adjacent the outerdiameter of the annular ribs 186 b and 186 c.

The fourth rib 186 d is provided at a position along the axial length ofthe sleeve 180 between the third rib 186 c and the second end 185 of thesleeve 180. The fourth rib 186 d has an outer diameter which is greaterthan the inner diameter of the passageway 73 c, and may be larger thanthe outer diameter of ribs 186 b and 186 c. The sealing structure 174 calso comprises the annular groove 92 provided in the inner surface ofthe passageway 73 c as in sealing structure 74 c, and the fourth rib 186d may be sized so that the rib 186 d seats within the annular groove 92.This arrangement provides additional retention force for holding thesleeve 180 in the port 28 c.

Each of the four ribs 186 may be provided with a chamfer 187 at theouter edge of the radial surface facing towards the seal 82. This mayfacilitate assembly of the sleeve 180 into the port 28 c.

Referring again to FIG. 13 b, the sleeve 180 may be provided with anaxial extension 188, defined by a portion of the body 182 extendingbeyond the axial position at which the fourth rib 186 d is provided, ina direction opposite the first end 184 of the sleeve 180. The extensionportion 188 of the sleeve 180 may provide contact surfaces to facilitatethe manipulation and assembly of the sleeve 180 into the port 28 c. Theextension portion 188 may also serve to simply extend the length of thebody 182 and thereby improve flow characteristics of fluid flowingbetween the sphere 30 and the connection fitting 14 installed in theport 28 c.

Although the overall length of the sleeve 180 may be extended by theextension portion 188, the length is sufficiently short so that when thesleeve 180 is assembled into the port 28 c, clearance is providedbetween the second end 185 of the sleeve 180 and the leading surface 104of the connection fitting 14 installed in the port 28 c.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a further alternative sealing structure 274 cmay be provided in the port 28 c. The sealing structure 274 c has aretaining sleeve 280 which is provided with only two ribs 286 c and 286d, corresponding to the ribs 186 c and 186 d of the sleeve 180. Theaxial position of the rib 286 c along the body 282 of the sleeve 280 issuch that an annular cavity 290 is provided in front of the rib 286 c,bounded by the body 282, the seal 82, and the inner surface of thepassageway 73 c. The o-ring 89 is provided in the cavity 290 to enhancethe sealing action of sealing structure 174 c. A chamfer 279 is providedat the edge along the outer diameter of the first end 284 of the sleeve280, to facilitate assembly with the o-ring 89, as will be describedsubsequently.

The valve body 12 is assembled by first installing the spindle 24 intothe valve housing 20. The spindle 24 is installed by using the port 28 bfor access, and inserting the rectangular portion 42 of the shaft 40through the cylindrical bore 27 of the valve housing 20. The spindle 24is pushed through the cylindrical bore 27 until the flange 47 butts upagainst the inner end of the cylindrical bore 27. At this point thevalve handle 26 can be assembled by aligning the bore 56 with therectangular portion 42 and pressing the handle 26 on the shaft 40 whileholding the shaft 40 in position relative to the housing 20. The tab 44extending from the shaft 40 is then aligned so the longitudinal axis ofthe tab 44 is parallel to axes 29 a and 29 c of ports 28 a and 28 crespectively.

Next, the annular seal 76 is seated in the cylindrical seal seat 80 ofthe retaining lip 77, using the port 28 c for access. The sphere 30 isthen installed through the port 28 c, and is positioned against the seal80 ensuring that the slot 36 of the sphere 30 engages the tab 44 of thespindle 24. Assembly of the valve body 12 may be completed by installingthe sealing structure 74 c in the port 28 c. To do so, the annular seal82 is inserted in port 28 c and positioned against the sphere 30 so thatit surrounds the opening 32 c. The o-ring 89 is then positioned againstthe annular seal 82, and the brass ring 83 is then inserted so that thechamfer 88 of the brass ring 83 contacts the inner diameter of theo-ring 89. The inner face 84 of the brass ring 83 is then pressedthrough the o-ring 89, using the chamfer 88 to guide the o-ring 89 intoposition on the first cylindrical portion 86 of the brass ring 83. Thevalve body 12 is then pre-loaded by pressing the outer face 85 of thebrass ring 83 axially towards the retaining lip 77, and locking theassembly in place by inserting the internal retaining clip 90 into thegroove 92.

Assembly of the valve body 12 may be alternatively be completed byinstalling the sealing structure 174 c in the port 28 c. This can bedone by inserting the annular seal 82 in the port 28 c and positioningthe seal 82 against the sphere 30 so that it surrounds the opening 32 c.The retaining sleeve 180 may then be pressed into position in the port28 c, using the first rib 186 a to guide the sleeve 180 through thepassageway 73 c.

Alternatively, the sealing structure 274 c may be provided in the port28 c to assemble the valve body 12. Accordingly, after inserting theseal 82, the o-ring 89 is inserted through the port 28 c and positionedagainst the annular seal 82. The sleeve 280 is then inserted so that thechamfer 279 of the sleeve 280 contacts the inner diameter of the o-ring89. The first end 284 of the sleeve 280 is then pressed through theo-ring 89, using the chamfer 279 to guide the o-ring 89 onto the body282 of the sleeve 280. The sleeve 280 is then pressed into its assembledposition, thereby accurately pre-loading the valve seals 76 and 82,sealing the interface between the sleeve 280 and the passageway 73 c,and securing the sleeve 280 in position.

Assembly of the valve body 12 provides a fully functional pre-assembledvalve body which is ready for use by a plumber, pipefifter, ordo-it-yourself homeowner. Assembly of the valve body in a manufacturingenvironment enables the valve body to have the same level of qualityassociated with fully assembled ready-to-use valves, and yet offer theconvenience of a user-configurable valve. The user need only selectappropriate connection fittings 14 and install these fittings in thecorresponding ports 28.

Referring now to FIG. 15, each port 28 has an inner port end 60 nearestthe valve closure member 22, and an outer first connector end 61 nearestthe outer surface 21 of the valve housing 20. The first connector end 61of each port 28 has a first common configuration 62, comprising astepped bore having features along its length described below.

Nearest the outer surface 21 of the valve housing 20, the first commonconfiguration 62 comprises an internal clearance wall 64 extendingparallel to and coaxial with the axis 29 of the port 28. The internalclearance wall 64 terminates at a first seal surface 66, which extendsradially inward from and substantially perpendicular to the clearancewall 64. A thread lead 68, defined by a bevelled surface extendingradially inward and axially towards the inner port end 60, is disposedabout the entrance to an internally threaded bore 70.

The plurality of connection fittings 14 will now be described. Arepresentative sample of the connection fittings 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c isshown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, respectively. Preferably the kit of parts10 would comprise many more than three types of connection fittings, andmany multiples of each type, but these three have been illustrated toserve as example. All such connection fittings 14 have a portion havinga common configuration. This will be discussed in detail first.

Each connection fitting 14 is elongate having an axis 96 and two axiallyopposed ends, namely a second connector end 98 and an adaptor end 99.The second connector end 98 of each one of the plurality of connectionfittings 14 has a second common configuration 100, adapted to interactwith first common configuration 62 of any one of the ports 28 of thevalve housing 20. The second common configuration 100 preferablycomprises a first cylindrical portion 102 coaxial with the axis 96,having a male threaded portion 103 and an undercut portion 105. The malethreaded portion 103 mates with the internal threaded portion 70 of thefirst connector end 61. A leading annular surface 104 is provided on oneface of first cylindrical portion 102, and is defined by an annularsurface disposed perpindicular to and coaxial with the axis 96,extending radially inward from the outer diameter of first cylindricalportion 102 to an inner diameter which is not less than the diameter ofthe opening 32 in the sphere 30. The combined axial length of the malethreaded portion 103 and the undercut portion 105 is sized to permitassembly of the connection fitting 14 in the port 28, as described ingreater detail subsequently.

The second common configuration 100 further comprises a secondcylindrical portion 106 coaxial with the axis 96, and adjacent to thefirst cylindrical portion 102, and axially opposite to the leadingannular surface 104. The second cylindrical portion 106 has an outerdiameter greater than that of the first cylindrical portion 102, butless than the internal diameter of the clearance wall 64. The radialsurface at the transition in outer diameters between the firstcylindrical portion 102 and the second cylindrical portion 106 extendssubstantially perpindicular to the axis 96 and defines a second sealsurface 108.

The adaptor ends 99 of the plurality of connection fittings 14 do notshare a common configuration. Rather, any one adaptor end 99 has anadaptor configuration 110 which varies among the connection fittings 14.Referring again to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, examples of specific adaptorconfigurations 110 include a female pipe adaptor configuration 14 a(FIG. 16), a male barb adaptor configuration 14 b (FIG. 17), and a plugconfiguration 14 c (FIG. 18). Other adaptor configurations (not shown)include configurations for compression fittings, hose connections, flareconnections, crimp connections, and threaded pipe connections and anyother type of plumbing connection configuration. All of theseconfigurations are well known in the art and may be included in thevariety of adaptor configurations 110 provided on the adaptor ends 99 ofthe plurality of connection fittings 14.

Preferably, any one adaptor configuration 110 is provided with paralleldiametrically opposite lands 112 along the outer surface of the adaptorend 99. This enables the adaptor end 99 to be gripped by a wrench. Theparallel lands 112 may comprise a hexagon of sufficient width toaccommodate the jaws of a wrench. The arrangement of, and distancebetween, the parallel lands 112 may vary between adaptor configurations110.

Each adaptor configuration 110 is also provided with a particular axialpassageway 114. However, in the case of an adaptor acting as a plug, theparticular passageway 114 is blind so that the connector when used actsas a plug for a port 28. The configuration of the passageway 114 maydiffer among the various connection fittings 14 to meet the needs of theparticular connection. The passageway 114 is the passageway for fluidbut depending on the next component of the piping system, the passageway114 may also accept tubing, piping or other structure. The internal wallof the axial passageway 114 may be adapted to fit an Allen key forturning, rather than providing lands 112 if desired, as shown in FIG.16.

Equipped with the kit of parts 10, a user can select the particularconnection fittings from the plurality of connection fittings 14 whichhave adaptor ends 99 with adaptor configurations 110 suitable forconnection to the conduits between which the assembled shut-off valve isto be installed.

For example, assume that a shut off valve is required between a copperpipe and plastic hose disposed at 90° relative to each other. An anglevalve having one female pipe connection and one barb connection isrequired. This can be assembled from the kit of parts 10 by selectingfitting 14 a for port 28 a, fitting 14 b for port 28 b, and fitting 14 cfor port 28 c.

Once the appropriate connection fittings 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c have beenselected from the kit of parts 10, each connection fitting 14 a, 14 b,and 14 c must be assembled to the corresponding ports 28 a, 28 b, and 28c. According to the present invention, this assembly should produce aleak-proof joint between each connection fitting 14 and eachcorresponding port 28, using ordinary hand tools to support valve body12 and tighten connection fitting 14.

It was expected that a satisfactory joint could be assembled by using agasket as is commonly practiced in the art. Gaskets for connectionfittings are typically annular in shape, having axially opposed faceswhich are flat and perpendicular to the axis of the gasket. The gasketsare typically of an easily deformable metal, such as copper or aluminum,or of an elastomeric material such a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE).

When attempting to use such a gasket in assembling the connectionfittings 14 to the valve body 12 using ordinary hand tools, it was foundthat a leak-proof joint could not reliably be achieved. This appeared tobe a result of imperfections in the second seal surface 108 of theconnection fittings 14, particularly at the outer circumference of thesecond seal surface 108. As seen in FIG. 18, these imperfections consistof nicks 133 which may be caused by transporting or handling theplurality of connection fittings 14, and/or raised imperfections 134resulting from build-up during the plating process. The nicks 133 mayleave gaps in the joint through which fluid can leak. The raisedimperfections 134 tend to gouge and score adjacent gasket surfacesduring tightening, leaving troughs through which fluid can leak.

In the present invention these problems have been overcome by usingmodified gaskets and seal surfaces as described below.

In a first embodiment the connection is made using a gasket 120.Referring now to FIG. 19, the gasket 120 comprises an annular disc ofdeformable metal such as copper or aluminum, having an axis 121. Theinner diameter surface 128 of the gasket 120 is sized to fit over thefirst cylindrical portion 102 of the connection fitting 14. The outerdiameter surface 126 of the gasket 120 is sized to fit within theclearance wall 64 of the port 28. As best seen in FIG. 30, the outersurface 126 of the gasket 120 optionally comprises a plurality ofradially outward extending projections 150 spaced equally about thecircumference of the outer surface 126. The outer diameter 152 on whichthe radially outermost points of the projections 150 lie is sized toprovide a press-fit assembly of the gasket 120 in the clearance wall 64of the port 28. This permits pre-assembly of the gasket 120 in the valvebody 12, thereby ensuring the presence and concentric positioning of thegasket 120 in the port 28 during assembly of the connection fitting 14.

Referring again to FIG. 19, the gasket 120 further comprises a firstface surface 122 and a second face surface 124 axially opposed to oneanother. When the joint formed by connecting one of the plurality of theconnection fittings 14 to one of the ports 28 is finger tight, the firstface surface 122 of the gasket 120 is in contact with the first sealsurface 66 of the valve housing 20, and defines a first joint interface130 (FIG. 23), and the second face surface 124 of the gasket 120 is incontact with the second seal surface 108 of the second connector end 98,and defines a second joint interface 132. This is best seen in FIG. 23.

To achieve a desired seal in the embodiment of FIG. 23, the first andsecond face surfaces 122 and 124 of the gasket 120 are bevelled, ratherthan perpendicular to the axis 121 of the gasket 120. This is best seenin FIG. 20. The bevelled first and second face surfaces 122 and 124 aredisposed such that the outer diameter surface 126 is narrower than theinner diameter surface 128 of the gasket 120, and the cross-sectionalprofile of the gasket 120 is symmetrical about an axis 129 extendingperpendicular to axis 121 through the center of the cross-section of thegasket 120.

As is best seen in FIG. 23, the pre-tightened first and second jointinterfaces 130 and 132 have minimal contact surface area, approximatingpoint contact when viewed in cross-section, or line contact when viewedaxially. Furthermore, clearance is provided between the second facesurface 124 of the gasket 120 and the raised imperfections 134 extendingfrom the second seal surface 108.

Upon application of a tightening torque to the adaptor end 99 of theconnection fitting 14, the connection fitting 14 advances axially andplaces an axial load on the gasket 120. This axial load causesdeformation of the gasket 120, characterized by a flattening of thebevelled first and second gasket faces 122 and 124 at the first andsecond joint interfaces 130 and 132, so that the flattened portions ofthe bevelled first and second gasket faces 122 and 124 lie in flushcontact with the first and second seal surfaces 66 and 108.

In another embodiment of the gasket best seen in FIGS. 21, 22, and 24, agasket 220 is used to achieve a reduction in surface area of thepre-tightened second joint interface 232 only, and to provide clearancebetween the raised imperfections 134 and the second gasket face surface224. The first face surface 222 of the gasket 220 is alignedperpendicular to the axis 221 of the gasket 220 so that the first facesurface 222 of the gasket 220 sits flush against the first seal surface66 when the joint is pre-tightened. As a result, the first jointinterface 230, defined by contact between the first seal surface 66 andthe first face surface 222 of the gasket 220, has a surface area equalto the surface area of the first face surface 222.

As best seen in FIG. 24, the bevelled second face surface 224 of thegasket 220 provides a reduced contact surface area of the second jointinterface 232, and clearance between the raised imperfections 134 andthe second face surface 224.

In yet another embodiment, best seen in FIG. 25, a modified seal surface166 is provided on the valve housing 20. The first seal surface 166 isbevelled relative to the first face surface 222 of the gasket 220, suchthat the first seal surface 166 slopes deeper away from the connectionfitting 14 as surface 166 extends from its inner diameter to its outerdiameter at clearance wall 164.

In the pre-tightened state, a first joint interface 330 exists at thepoint of contact between the inner diameter of the first seal surface166 and the first face surface 222 of the gasket 220. A second jointinterface 332 exists at the point of contact between the inner diameterof the second face surface 224 of the gasket 220 and the second sealsurface 108 of the connection fitting 14.

Upon tightening, deformation of the gasket 220 at the second jointinterface 332 and clearance between the raised imperfections 134 and thesecond face surface 224 of the gasket 220 is provided as in the previousembodiment. Deformation of the gasket 220 at the first joint interfacetakes the form of a pointed annular depression which mates with andsurrounds the first seal surface 166 and the thread lead 168 in thevicinity where they meet at the first joint interface 330. In all thesealternatives, contact with the imperfections 164 and resultant damage tothe seal is reduced. Because of the minimal area of contact at at leastone joint interface, hand tool torque is sufficient to deform the gasketto make a satisfactory seal, while using a deformable metal gasket.

In other applications it may be desirable to exploit the sealingproperties of an elastomeric gasket, such as polytetrafluoroethyene(PTFE). Such gaskets are known to provide sealed joints with excellentinitial leak-proof properties, but the elastomeric material tends tocreep under load which in turn allows the joint to loosen over time,causing leaks.

We have discovered this problem may be overcome by providing a sealingstructure which pierces the elastomeric gasket to capture at least aportion of the elastomeric material within an enclosed cavity created byassembly of the joint. With the elastomeric material enclosed within andfilling the cavity, the material cannot creep.

An elastomeric gasket 420 is shown in FIG. 26. The gasket 420 is anannular disc of elastomeric material, disposed about an axis 421.Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the gasket 420 has a rectangular profilein cross-section, having a first face surface 422 and an axially opposedsecond face surface 424, such that the face surfaces 422 and 424 areparallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis 421. The gasket 420further comprises an inner diameter surface 428 and outer diametersurface 426. Referring now to FIG. 33, the inner diameter surface 428has a diameter 458 greater than the outer diameter of the threadedportion 103 of the connection fitting 14. The outer diameter surface 426has a diameter 456 less than the diameter of the clearance wall 64 ofthe first common configuration 62 of the ports 28. As best seen in FIG.33, the inner diameter surface 428 of the gasket 420 optionallycomprises a plurality of radially inward extending projections 450spaced equally about the circumference of the inner diameter surface428. The inner diameter 452 on which the radially innermost points ofthe radial projections 450 lie is sized to be smaller than the outerdiameter of the male threaded portion 103 of the connection fitting 14,but larger than the outer diameter of undercut portion 105. This permitspre-assembly of gasket 420 on to connection fitting 14 by pushing gasket420 over and past the male threaded portion 103 onto the undercutportion 105, thereby ensuring the presence and concentric positioning ofthe gasket 420 in the port 28 during assembly of the connection fitting14.

In a first embodiment, using the gasket 420, the first seal surface 66of the port 28 is modified to have concentric annular axial projections265 and 267, as seen in FIG. 28. The radially inner annular projection265 comprises an annular ring of triangular cross-section extending fromthe first seal surface 66, disposed coaxially with the axis 29 of theport 28, at a diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of thegasket 420. The height of the inner annular projection 265 isapproximately equal to the thickness of the gasket 420. The radiallyouter annular projection 267 is similar to the inner annular projection265 but is provided at a radial point along the first seal surface 66which is between the inner annular projection 265 and the outer diameterof the gasket 420.

In the pre-tightened state shown in FIG. 28, the gasket 420 will be incontact with the peak of at least one of the inner and outer annularprojections 265 and 267 on the first face surface 422 of the gasket 420,and in contact with the raised imperfections 134 on the second facesurface 424 of the gasket 420.

Upon tightening the joint as shown in FIG. 29, the peaks of the innerand outer annular projections 265 and 267 pierce the gasket 420 andeventually come into metal-to-metal contact with the second seal surface108. Some deformation of the peaks of the annular projections 265 and267 may occur. Any such deformation contributes to the sealing effect ofthe joint, and the metal-to-metal contact reduces susceptibility toundesired loosening. In addition, a central annular portion 442 of thegasket 420 is captured between facing sides of the annular projections265 and 267, the first seal surface 66, and the second seal surface 108.This elastomeric material is surrounded on all sides and fills thespace. Thus, even though the portion 442 of the elastomeric material isin compression it cannot creep as it is confined by the metal-to-metalcontact. The radially outer portion 446 of the gasket 420 acts as afurther seal.

The radially inner portion 444 of the gasket 420 is at least partiallyconfined by the thread lead surface 68, the undercut portion 105, andthe second seal surface 108. Thread lead 68 and the undercut portion 105are sized to provide a cavity sufficient to accommodate the volume ofthe radially inner portion 444 of the gasket 420. However, someclearance is required between the mating male threads 103 and the femalethreads 70, and as a result some creep may occur. For this reason, theradially inner portion 444 of gasket 420 may serve as a further seal butis not relied upon.

In another embodiment of the present invention employing the elastomericgasket 420, a single annular projection 369 is provided on a modifiedseal surface 66. Referring to FIG. 30, the annular projection 369 has atriangular cross-section, with a height approximately equal to thethickness of the gasket 420. The annular projection 369 is disposedcoaxially with the axis 29 of the port 28, at a radial position near themidpoint of the inner and outer diameters of the first seal surface 66.

In the pre-tightened state (FIG. 30), the first face surface 422 of thegasket 420 is in contact with the peak of the annular projection 369,and the second face surface 424 of the gasket 420 is in contact with theraised imperfections 134.

Upon tightening the joint (FIG. 31), the peak of the annular projection369 pierces the gasket 420, and eventually comes into metal to metalcontact with the second seal surface 108. This structure provides a sealand protects against loosening of the joint over time, as in theprevious embodiment. Furthermore, the outer annular portion 542 of thegasket 420 is captured in a cavity bounded by the outer side face of theannular projection 369, the first seal surface 66, the second sealsurface 108, and the close fit between the clearance wall 64 and theouter diameter of the second cylindrical portion 106. As discussedabove, the portion 542 of the gasket 420 is confined on all sides,similarly to portion 442, and therefore cannot creep which provides asatisfactory seal. As with the previous embodiment, the torque availablefrom hand operated tools is sufficient to pierce the gasket 420 andcontinue to move the connector 14 into the valve housing 20 until metalto metal contact occurs.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described hereinin detail, it is to be understood that this description is by way ofexample only, and is not intended to be limiting. The full scope of theinvention is to be determined from reference to the appended claims.

1. A kit of parts for configuring and assembling a shut-off valve in thefield, the kit of parts comprising: a) at least one valve body, aplurality of connection fittings, and a plurality of annular elastomericgaskets; b) the at least one valve body including a housing havingfirst, second, and third ports and a closure member disposed in thehousing, the valve body defining internal flow oaths between the firstand second, first and third, and second and third ports, respectively,each of said internal flow paths extending through the closure member,the closure member being movable between open and closed positions; c)each port having a first common configuration and a first seal surface;d) the connection fittings having first ends with a second commonconfiguration including a second seal surface for assembly with thefirst common configuration of any one of the plurality of ports; e) eachof the gaskets adapted to be inserted between the first seal surface andthe second seal surface of a respective port and connection fitting forproviding a leak-proof seal therebetween; and, f) the connectionfittings having a variety of different adaptor ends disposed generallyopposite the respective first ends for attachment to any of a variety offield-encountered conduit configurations; and g) wherein the at leastone valve body further comprises a plurality of valve closure membersealing structures to provide leak-proof operation of said valve closuremember when in and moving between said open and closed positions, saidplurality of valve closure member sealing structures adapted to operablyseal said closure member independently of said connection fittingsreceived in said ports, and wherein at least one of said plurality ofsealing structures comprises an annular seal disposed adjacent theclosure member, and a retaining element fixed in a respective port toretain said annular seal adjacent the closure member, said retainingelement comprising a sleeve having an annular outer contact surfacewhich engages said inner surface of said respective port in sealingpress-fit engagement, and wherein said retaining element comprises aplurality of radially outwardly extending annular ribs, at least aportion of said outer contact surface of said sleeve being providedadjacent the outer diameter of at least one of said plurality of annularribs.
 2. The kit of parts of claim 1 wherein said inner surface of saidrespective port has an annular groove and one of said plurality ofannular ribs is adapted to seat within said annular groove.
 3. A valvebody according to claim 1 wherein said sealing structure furthercomprises an o-ring disposed adjacent at least one of said annular ribsof said sleeve.
 4. A valve body according to claim 1 wherein said sleevehas an axially inner end adjacent said annular seal, an axially outerend opposite said axially inner end, and first and second annular ribs,said first annular rib disposed between said axially inner end of saidsleeve and said second annular rib.
 5. A valve body according to claim 4wherein said first annular rib has an outer diameter less than an outerdiameter of said second annular rib.
 6. A valve body according to claim4 wherein said sleeve has an axially outermost annular rib disposedadjacent said axially outer end of said sleeve, and a generallycylindrical extension portion extending between said axially outermostannular rib and said axially outer end of said sleeve.
 7. A kit of partsfor configuring and assembling a shut-off valve in the field, the kit ofparts comprising: a) at least one valve body, the valve body having aninterior with a closure member disposed therein, the closure membermovable between positions for controlling fluid flow through the valvebody, the valve body including a number of ports each having inner endsadjacent the closure member and outer ends directed away from theclosure member, wherein each one of the ports is in fluid communicationwith the interior and each one of the ports has a first commonconfiguration including a first seal surface; b) a plurality ofconnection fittings, each connection fitting having a first end with asecond common configuration engageable with the first commonconfiguration of any one of the ports for connection therewith, thesecond common configuration including a second seal surface, each one ofthe connection fittings having an adaptor end generally opposite thefirst end, the adaptor ends of the plurality of connection fittingsbeing non-uniform to provide a variety of adaptor configurations forattachment to any of a variety of field-encountered conduitconfigurations to which the valve body is to be connected; and, c) aplurality of annular elastomeric gaskets, each one of the gasketspositionable between the first seal surface and the second seal surfaceof a respective port and connection fitting for providing a leak-proofseal therebetween, and wherein at least one of the first and second sealsurfaces comprises at least one projection adapted to pierce arespective one of the elastomeric gaskets and abut the other one of thefirst and second seal surfaces upon assembly of said respective port andconnection fitting at relatively low, hand-tool torque levels.
 8. Thekit of parts of claim 7, wherein the at least one projection comprises afirst annular projection with a generally sharp leading edge.
 9. The kitof parts of claim 8, wherein the first and second seal surfaces areconfigured to interact upon assembly of said respective port andconnection fitting to provide an enclosed annular cavity that traps andis filled with at least a portion of said elastomeric gasket.
 10. Thekit of parts of claim 9, wherein the first annular projection definesone boundary surface of the enclosed annular cavity.
 11. The kit ofparts of claim 10 wherein the at least one projection comprises a secondconcentric annular projection, each of the first and second annularprojections having a respective generally sharp leading edge, andwherein each one of the gaskets has a common radial extent generallydefined by inner and outer gasket diameters, the respective leadingedges of the two annular projections having respective edge diameters,each respective edge diameter being intermediate the inner and outergasket diameters.
 12. A kit of parts for configuring and assembling ashut-off valve in the field, the kit of parts comprising: a) at leastone valve body, the at least one valve body including a housing having atotal of three fluid conductable ports including a first, a second, anda third port, and a closure member disposed in the housing, the closuremember being movable between open and closed positions, the valve bodydefining three internal flow paths between the first and second, firstand third, and second and third ports, respectively, each of said threeinternal flow paths extending through the closure member when theclosure member is in the open position, each of said three internal flowpaths being blocked when the closure member is in the closed position,and each one of the ports having a first common configuration includinga first seal surface; b) a plurality of connection fittings, eachconnection fitting having a first end with a second common configurationengageable with the first common configuration of any one of the threeports for connection therewith, the second common configurationincluding a second seal surface, each one of the connection fittingshaving an adaptor end generally opposite the first end, the adaptor endsof the plurality of connection fittings being non-uniform to provide avariety of adaptor configurations for attachment to any of a variety offield-encountered conduit configurations to which the valve body is tobe connected; and c) a plurality of annular gaskets, each one of thegaskets positionable between the first seal surface and the second sealsurface of a respective port and connection fitting for providing aleak-proof seal therebetween.
 13. The kit of parts of claim 12 whereinthe at least one valve body comprises a plurality of valve closuremember sealing structures each including an annular seal bearing againstan outer surface of the closure member, the sealing structures providingleak-proof operation of said valve closure member when in and movingbetween said open and closed positions, each said annular seal bearingagainst the outer surface of the closure member independently of saidconnection fittings received in said ports.